Aroids

Piedras Blancas

The following 5 aroids were photographed near the village of Piedras Blancas, east of Medellin, Colombia. All occur at about 2400 meters (7875 feet). These images were made on 16 August 2009. Thanks to Dr. Tom Croat for the identifications.

Xanthosoma sp. Habit

Xanthosoma sp. Inflorescence

This aroid generally grows to about .75 meter high in moderatly to deeply shaded habitat. It tends to occur in damp to wet soils near Quebrada Matazanos. It seems to be almost weedy.

Philodendron Unidentified 1 Mature Leaves

Philodendron Unidentified 1 Juvenile Leaves

This Philodendron was growing up a Pinus patula trunk near Quebrada Matazanos (Piedras Blancas, east of Medellin). No inflorescences were seen on 16 August 2009. The plant was growing near the 3 Anthuriums listed below

Anthurium Unidentified 1 Leaf

Anthurium Unidentified 1 Inflorescence

Unidentified Anthurium 1 grows in upland habitat dominated by Pinus patula along Quebrada Matazanos near the village of Piedras Blancas east of Medellin, Colombia. Elevation approximately 2400 meters (7875 feet.) It grows along with Unidentified Anthuriums 2 and 3 below. This plant is realatively small and grows to about 0.3 ot 0.4 meter high. Its main stems creep along the surface forming lose groups.

Anthurium Unidentified 2 Leaf

Anthurium Unidentifed 2 Scale and Habit

Unidentified Anthurium 2 grows in upland habitat dominated by Pinus patula along Quebrada Matazanos near the village of Piedras Blancas east of Medellin, Colombia. Elevation approximately 2400 meters (7875 feet.) it occurs with Unidentifed Anthuriums 1 and 3. This is a large plant which is about 2.5 to 3 meters tall. It grows from a single stem. No inflorescences were observed on 16 August 2009.

Anthurium longegeniculum Engl. Leaf and Habit

Anthurium longegeniculum Engl. Inflorescence

Unidentified Anthurium 3 grows in upland habitat dominated by Pinus patula along Quebrada Matazanos near the village of Piedras Blancas east of Medellin, Colombia. Elevation approximately 2400 meters (7875 feet.) it occurs with Unidentified Anthuriums 1 and 2 above. This is a relatively small plant which is about 0.5 meter tall. It appears to grow from a single stem but forms lose clumps.

Douger said,

pbunch said,

Thanks Douger. Heliconias do very well in the Medellin area(1600 meters). As far I know there is only one that does well up near Santa Elena (2400 meters). We have not planted any in Medellin do to space restrictions.

These pictures took me back 45 years to a time when I was still living with my parents and growing many philodendron vines in my bedroom. The damp smell and the wonderful scent of a thatched open roof is almost totally recalled!